TEEN HEALTH Published June11, 2020 By Staff Reporter

5 Ways for Disabled Teens to Get Fit & Stay Fit

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5 Ways for Disabled Teens to Get Fit & Stay Fit
(Photo : Unsplash)

Growing up with a disability, you will be very aware that every aspect of life can have you facing challenges that others would not have to deal with. But one area where it can be more pronounced than others is trying to stay fit and active, or participate in sport. Here are five helpful hints as to how to get fit and stay fit no matter what your challenges are.

Find a Club

Finding a sports or activity club that can accommodate you is a great way to meet people and stay active. Sadly, not every club will be as well equipped as some others. It may well be that they will do their best to accommodate you, but some offer more suitable facilities than others. There are some clubs specifically for those with conditions, or even whole sports, such as wheelchair basketball. 

Kit Adaptations

There are many ways that equipment and gear can be adapted and made suitable for the use of disabled athletes. Look at the range of sports where there are items available to allow you to participate. These vary from dynamic and active wheelchairs, sailboats, and even automatic golf clubs that swing for the player who cannot. It makes perfect sense to learn about everything out there, as it will do no good to press on with unsuitable equipment stubbornly and risk discomfort or even injury. 

Take Medical Advice

It's always good to take medical advice seriously. If you are looking to start a new sport or activity, then a coach can give useful pointers and information on how you might participate. If you are unsure, it would be advisable to check with your doctor or physio about suitability and potential injury risk. You should ensure that you have adequate medical insurance to cover any issues, injury, or illness, and this means carefully checking your policy covers everything, including sporting injuries. Even if you are on Medicare, it's good to look at the possibility of taking out additional insurance cover to supplemental costs. You may find that various out of pocket expenses are not included in your policy. This can be taken care of by an additional policy that does not invalidate your initial insurance. Visit the website to learn more and find out if these options may work for you. 

Get a Trainer

A personal trainer is an excellent idea for anyone in any situation where they are looking to make gains, increase performance, and generally improve in either general fitness or a specific sport. Finding the best trainer for you is often a bit of a challenge, as it can be a personal thing. If you find that your working methods and personalities are not working in a complementary manner, then it might be counter-productive. There are many trainers who specialize in injury or disability sport, and you can search them here by state, allowing you to find someone local to your area.

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